What does it mean that Jesus is Lord and Caesar is not? What does it mean to follow Jesus into this world? What does it mean to be filled, led, empowered by the Spirit of Jesus? Hmmm ...

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Vision quest

As of this coming Monday, I'll have been at Calvary for three months. I feel like I'm getting to know the congregation, and they're getting to know me. We're starting to see a little movement toward discerning the Spirit's leading toward a specific vision for Calvary.

So it seemed timely to take some time to go pray, read scripture, discern, and plan. I am currently out of the office doing exactly that. It's been good time thus far, with lots of good prayer and Bible time, lots of reviewing my notes from the last three months, and lots of getting specific details planned for upcoming things. Through the miracle of modern technology I've also had numerous phone and email conversations with coworkers and other Calvary leaders.

One of my goals for this time was to begin to come to clarity for myself as Senior Pastor at Calvary. I want to have a clear answer for those who ask me what my own personal vision is for this congregation. In prayer this week, I finalized this statement, then went back and listed some of the biblical basis for each portion of it:

My prayer is that (Romans 8:26-27, Acts 1:14)

Calvary will become a(Ephesians 4:15-16, 1 Corinthians 14:12)

Jesus-pursuing(John 20:21, Philippians 2:5-11)

scripture-breathing(John 15:7-8, Colossians 3:16)

outward-focused (Luke 9:23-24, 2 Corinthians 5:14-20)

kingdom-seeking(Mark 1:14-15, Matthew 6:33)

community (Acts 2:42-47, Romans 12:1-13)

driven(Mark 1:12, Acts 20:22)

by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:25)

to make disciples(Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:12)

who make disciples(2 Timothy 2:2, Matthew 4:19)

and so storm the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 6:12-13)

in the Name of Jesus.(John 17:11, Luke 10:17-20)

This vision time is designed to be a good balance of "big picture" things like this statement, along with specific details like assigning scripture texts for the September / October sermon series, for example. So far it's been good in both ways.

I want to thank so many people who are praying for and with me during this time! One of the most awesome pieces to this time away is just the massive number of people who have committed to praying for the Spirit to be working in this time of discernment. Thank you!